California residents generally understand the risks posed by wildfires, but the devastation of a fire may not truly hit you until you’ve become a victim. Recent California wildfires did over $9 billion in damage—and that’s not to mention the tragic loss of several lives.
After a wildfire, you might have lost your home and most or all of your possessions, leaving you unsure of what to do next. We can help you get started with a few tips for filing an insurance claim for wildfire damage.
At Haffner Law, we understand the devastation of losing everything to a wildfire, and we know the insurance companies might not care nearly as much about your situation as you do. If you’re struggling with the insurance company after following these tips, give us a call.
Inventory Your Wildfire Damages
While you may already have an inventory of your possessions, you will also need to fill out a “proof of loss” form, which will detail what you’ve lost so the insurance adjuster can properly calculate your losses. Using an inventory of your possessions can help the process.
Take as many photos or videos of the damage as possible. This should help prevent any claims of insurance fraud and prove the damage the wildfire really did. If possible, you should keep everything where it was, even if it’s destroyed. Having physical proof to back up your insurance claim can go a long way.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Calling your insurance company should be one of the first things you do after a wildfire. While you may be mourning your losses, getting your family’s life back on track is the most important task, and it begins with a call to your insurer. Once you make that call, the insurance company should begin to calculate the costs of your property damage and how much you’ll be able to recover after the fire.
This is why being careful to record all your evidence is so important; while you may want to begin clearing the debris as quickly as possible, you need evidence that you actually lost what you did, or you could find yourself with less compensation than you need and deserve.
Contact a Qualified Insurance Lawyer
Handling the aftermath of a wildfire is no easy task, and looking at the remains of your home may be heartbreaking, but you must act quickly to protect the evidence for your insurance claim. Your insurer should provide the compensation you need to rebuild and restart your life, and you’ll need as much evidence as possible to help ensure this positive outcome.
Unfortunately, the insurance company might try to offer you less than what your home and other lost property were worth. When this happens, you may need an attorney from Haffner Law to ensure that your claim is solid and hold the insurers accountable. Give us a call at 1-844-HAFFNER (423-3637) or fill out the form below for more information on how we can help you.
(This is an attorney advertisement by Joshua Haffner)
